The NFL kicked off Week 6 Sunday with the early London game at 9:30 a.m. between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers. You can be forgiven for either not knowing or still being asleep. The main slate gets underway at 1:00 p.m. and today might have the most balanced day of football watching this season. We get the 9:30 game, then six games at 1:00 p.m., four in the 4:05/4:25 p.m. slot, and then Sunday Night Football. That’s a heck of a day of football!
There was not big news heading into Bucs-Panthers, and so in a couple hours we’ll hear about inactives for the 1:00 p.m. games. If you’re trying to figure out your fantasy football lineups, this information is critical to getting the right players in the right spots. If you’ve got key players in the Sunday Night Football or Monday Night Football slots, you’re looking for any grain of information that will help you make the decision early rather than waiting until it’s too late tonight or tomorrow night.
We’re all figuring out last minute roster decisions, and that means not only who is not playing this week, but who is playing but might not be the best start in your Week 6 fantasy football lineup. We’ll provide updates on injuries, key start/sit decisions, and more leading up to 1 p.m. kickoffs.
Lions-Packers inactives
The Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions announced their inactives for Week 6 Monday Night Football. The Packers list includes WR Davante Adams, RB Dexter Williams, CB Tony Brown, S Darnell Savage, G Cole Madison, G/T Adam Pankey, and TE Robert Tonyan.
The Lions list includes QB David Blough, CB Amani Oruwariye, DB Quandre Diggs, G Beau Benzschawel, OL Oday Aboushi, DL Da’Shawn Hand, and DT Mike Daniels.
Steelers-Chargers inactives
Kicker Michael Badgley is once again inactive. I’m guessing few people are stashing the Chargers kicker hoping he returns soon. Pittsburgh has deactivated quarterback Mason Rudolph, wide receiver James Washington, and running back Jaylen Samuels. All three were expected. Rudolph returned to practice and could be back sooner rather than later from his concussion. Washington and Samuels are both expected to miss a month or so.
T.J. Hockenson cleared to play Monday
The Lions officially cleared tight end T.J. Hockenson out of the concussion protocol and he will play on Monday Night Football against the Packers. The team announced the news Sunday afternoon. Hockenson has been up-and-down his rookie season, with a record-setting debut, then a couple quiet performances to follow. The tight end position is weak in fantasy, so if you’re looking for an option, he makes sense. He’s a particularly intriguing DFS option. The Packers defense is impressive, but Matthew Stafford is on a bit of a roll.
George Kittle ACTIVE for Week 6
The 49ers released their Week 6 inactives, and tight end George Kittle will be active. He suffered a groin injury on Friday and was a late addition to the injury report as questionable. He will play however, and is a solid start in traditional fantasy leagues. However, in DFS contests, you’re probably best suited searching for some other options for today.
David Johnson ACTIVE for Week 6
The Cardinals released their Week 6 inactives, and running back David Johnson is ACTIVE for the game. Wide receiver Christian Kirk is INACTIVE. Johnson was questionable with a back injury, but seemed to show progress as the week moved along. He will start against the Falcons, which means Chase Edmonds will remain in his backup status. Edmonds is a decent option in deeper leagues, but he will not be the inexpensive DFS start some might have hoped.
Will Dissly ruled out with Achilles injury
The Seahawks have lost Will Dissly to an Achilles injury. He suffered the injury in the second quarter against the Browns, and the team quickly ruled him out before he even went back to the locker room. We’ll keep an eye out for more information, but it did not sound good from the FOX sideline reporter.
Notable active/inactive announcements
Actives
Tyreek Hill
Mark Andrews
Alvin Kamara
Inactives
Sammy Watkins
DeSean Jackson
Marquise Brown
Darren Sproles
Kenny Stills
Jalen Ramsey
Rashaad Penny
Tyreek Hill injury status update 10:39 a.m.
The Chiefs went through their pre-game workouts and wide receiver Tyreek Hill came out of them feeling good about his clavicle. He is now going to play on Sunday against the Texans, according to Adam Schefter. He’s an intriguing start in what should be a shootout. He’s worth slotting in as a WR2 or flex in your lineup, but the bigger fantasy football question is what this means for the fantasy prospects of Mecole Hardman, Demarcus Robinson, and Byron Pringle. It’s guess-work who gets what targets from Patrick Mahomes. This is a much-anticipated matchup, and the return of Hill only adds to it.
Todd Gurley to miss Week 6
The Rams formally ruled out Gurley on Saturday, according to team reporter Lindsey Thiry. He was listed as doubtful with a quadricep injury, so this is not surprising. Malcolm Brown will start in his place and Darrell Henderson serving as the backup running back. Brown faces a tough matchup against the 49ers defense, but if you need a volume play, he’s your option.
Alvin Kamara expected to play with ankle injury
The Saints running back came up with an ankle injury on Thursday and sat out Friday practice. He was listed as questionable, but he is expected to play if he does not suffer a setback in pre-game workouts, according to Ian Rapoport. He had no trouble in the team’s Saturday walkthrough and so we wait for 11:30 a.m. inactives. If he is active, you play him. On the off-chance he is inactive, you play Latavius Murray.
George Kittle expected to play
The 49ers tight end showed up on Friday’s report with a groin injury. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Friday that he expected Kittle to play on Sunday, but also admitted it was still early. Sunday reports are optimistic about his chances, and so we wait to see if there is a setback. Adam Schefter did report there is some concern on his ability to finish the game. The 49ers do not play until 4:05, which is not ideal, but it seems like Kittle will be playing. Even at least than 100 percent, he’s a guy you start when he’s active.
David Johnson expected to play
The Cardinals running back is dealing with a back injury, but he showed enough progress this week that he is expected to play on Sunday, according to Adam Schefter. Chase Edmonds is likely to get some run to ease DJ’s workload, but Johnson is a must start this week.
Marquise Brown expected to sit, Mark Andrews expected to play
Browns suffered an ankle injury last week and was unable to practice all week. He was listed as questionable, but Ian Rapoport is reporting Brown is not likely to play on Sunday. Willie Snead will see more targets in Brown’s place, and is an intriguing option against a bad Bengals defense.
Andrews injured his shoulder last week and briefly left the game, but is expected to play, according to Adam Schefter. Brown has been a regular on the injury report for a couple weeks now, and that will likely continue.
Tyreek Hill a strong bet to play
The Chiefs receiver was cleared of his clavicle injury late this week. There are reports of soreness, and so they’ll test it out pre-game. Adam Schefter is reporting there’s a “serious chance” Hill plays, but with a short week coming up (TNF at Denver), that could be a factor in this decision. Chiefs-Texans is a 1:00 p.m. game, so you’ll know by 11:30 a.m. if Hill will be active.
Hunter Henry expected to play
The Chargers tight end has been rehabbing his Week 1 knee injury and is set to return on Sunday Night Football. He was listed as questionable, but Adam Schefter is reporting he is expected to play. This is a big addition to an offense that struggled against Denver and is trying to get on track with Melvin Gordon’s return two weeks ago. Henry is not a must-start on your roster, but given the nature of the lack of depth at tight end, he might be worth a play.
Christian Kirk not expected to play
The Cardinals wide receiver has been getting in practice work, but is expected to miss his second straight game due to an ankle injury, according to Adam Schefter.
Odds and lines subject to change. See website for actual odds.
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
*21+. NJ/WV only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.